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Peace Begins with ME! Recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

- Leonard Ellis

Today we recognize and honor the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, I believe his words and actions are no less relevant today than they were over 50 years ago. More than just his words, but in particular, his actions. I may never be the orator that he was, but I can be a similar active, participating force, an agent for change, a contributor to peace and nonviolence. In voicing his commitment to nonviolence, he said "If I am the last, lone voice speaking for nonviolence, that I will do." And so the relevant question today is "am I willing to be the last, lone voice speaking for nonviolence"? Am I willing to express my deep desire for peace? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to never give up hope, never give up the message, never submit to apathy, never to say "oh, let THEM take care of it"?

Because what I see today, and I think what Dr. King saw in his day, too many people are too quick to say "I don't have time", "What difference could it make?," "My friends/family don't agree." So perhaps an even more important question is if I am willing to promote, recruit, encourage others to join and participate in the quest for peace and nonviolence so that we will never come to a point where there is a last, lone voice.

Those committed to the power of nonviolence see it as a philosophy of life, not simply a method of social change. Those committed to the power of nonviolence see its relevance to their personal conduct and credo in everyday life. Those committed to the power of nonviolence stand in the face of bigotry and anger and hatred and injustice with the courage to show another way, and model what real freedom is.

Dr. King challenged us to work for a greater humanity, for something greater than ourselves as individuals. So what am I doing to meet this challenge, to honor his legacy? What am I doing with not just the dream he left, but with the love and the faith to act?

Yes, I am challenged every day to act in integrity, to be a voice speaking for nonviolence. And sometimes I fail, but more often the universe confirms it is the right thing to do. Dr. King is gone, taken from us by an act of violence, the very thing he dedicated his life to change. But he left us a challenge, to interact with our world and do our part; what am I doing to honor the challenge, to create a better world? When I look in the mirror in the morning, do I recognize the one person who can leave the world a better place than he found it? If not, why not?

I challenge you to ask yourself, as I am asking myself: if I am truly committed to peace and nonviolence, what am I doing to live in that integrity? To stand up for what I believe. To raise my voice! To be the last, lone voice speaking for nonviolence. To never stop asking myself “If I don't, who will?” If we don't, who will?

Peace Begins with ME! Earth Day

- Leonard Ellis

April 22nd we celebrate Earth Day, which began in 1970 as a way to raise our consciousness about environmental concerns. It occurs to me that it is also is an opportunity to bring to the forefront two concepts directly applicable to peace: awareness and oneness. I'm not sure why we don't celebrate Earth Day every day of the year, but at least we have set aside one day to honor and recognize our relationship with our mother earth. Like so many other things in life, our relationship with the earth is a reflection of our inner feelings, thoughts, and relationship with ourselves.

I was recently asked what peace activism has to do with Earth Day . . . or was it what Earth Day has to do with peace activism? To me, the answer was obvious, as I see the people who are concerned with peace and nonviolence issues are generally also very concerned with environmental issues. This goes far beyond war issues, where the obvious environmental effects of bombing and destruction are easily seen. No, the connection is more rooted in the recognition that if our environment is toxic and does not sustain life, the people who live in that environment are not likely to be at peace, as they are in a constant state of fear, or depression, or hopelessness. Conversely, when the environment is maintained and improved, this brings about a sense of peace and security. People who are sensitive to, and who understand the source of peace, also tend to understand that peace extends beyond our human interactions to this place we call Mother Earth, and the need to protect, embrace and honor it.

Once we are aware of the impact each of us has on the environment, we can then take action to bring about change. What we recognize is that everything in the universe is connected, that each of us cannot separate ourselves from the consequences of any of our thoughts or actions, no matter how inconsequential they may seem at the time. How many times have we dropped some trash on the ground, or threw a cigarette butt out the window, never to be thought of again? But if we are aware of the consequences of each of these small actions, we might well do something much different, and by doing so, be in integrity with ourselves and the law of the unity of life.

Nonviolence extends from our personal selves, not just to our brothers and sisters, but to the earth as well, to every living thing. When we act in a way that violates the unity of life by polluting the air, by wasting resources, by not paying attention to our actions, then we will find our health, our peace of mind, and our happiness seriously affected, just as the environment is affected.

Each of us make the final decisions about what is bought and sold in the stores, how much carbon dioxide is pumped into the atmosphere and what is dumped into the lakes and rivers and ocean. Each of us can begin to heal the environment by changing our daily habits. As mentioned, this earthly environment is a reflection of our internal environment, specifically, the way we think affects the way we treat the earth. When we put our attention on our internal environment, when we are aware of our actions, we are not only making ourselves more secure and fulfilled and at peace, but we are also making an important contribution to the health of the environment.

Whether we are learning techniques to be at peace with our neighbors, or with the earth, the goal is the same - provide a world that works for all, developing an awareness and implementing strategies that enhance and protect our environment. I can look at my attitude and actions about the environment and make changes, I can take responsibility for my footprint on the earth, because peace, and my environmental impact, begins with ME!

Peace Begins with ME!

- Leonard Ellis

November 22, 2016 marks the 53rd anniversary of the tragic assassination of John F Kennedy here in Dallas. The day and the events still bring tears to my eyes, although I find it no more horrific than the almost weekly shootings of police officers. You may ask – how does the assassination relate to seemingly senseless killings? It relates because each and every one of us contributes to the consciousness of our communities, to the consciousness of our planet. Yes, we are all connected, and what I do makes a difference, what you do makes a difference, and that is why I ask everyone who reads this to start promoting programs such as BePeace and Nonviolent Communications (NVC), insisting they be taught in all our schools. By doing so, we will be raising a generation of children who will know how to handle their anger issues, how to deal with conflict and perhaps - no, for sure - we will eliminate these senseless killings.

Reflecting on JFK's assassination and the seemingly endless, senseless killings, I find hope and wisdom in the words of John F Kennedy. I believe he was the last world leader who truly understood the importance of, and the power of, the individual. He recognized, honored and encouraged each person to take action and ownership of what happens in the world. In a June 1963 speech on disarmament titled "A Strategy Of Peace" (1) at American University, JFK said “. . . every thoughtful citizen who despairs of war and wishes to bring peace, should begin by looking inward – by examining his own attitude toward the possibilities of peace . . . First: Examine our attitude toward peace itself. Too many of us think it is impossible. Too many think it is unreal. But that is a dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable - that mankind is doomed - that we are gripped by forces we cannot control. We need not accept that view. Our problems are manmade - therefore, they can be solved by man. ”

To me, these words are empowering, inspiring, and hopeful. Can you imagine every person, every day, looking inward and examining her or his own attitude toward the peace? Can you imagine in every interaction, if people got in touch with what was alive for them, how they could bring about a peaceful resolution to any conflict? If we can imagine it (and YES we can!) then we can create it.

JFK continued this idea in a speech to the UN (2). He said “ . . peace does not rest in charters and covenants alone. It lies in the hearts and minds of all people . . . let us strive to build peace, a desire for peace, a willingness to work for peace, in the hearts and minds of all our people. I believe that we can. I believe the problems of human destiny are not beyond the reach of human beings.”

And so the question becomes – What am I willing to do for peace? Am I willing to raise my voice, to speak up for justice? Am I willing to be a model for nonviolence in my community? Not just rail AGAINST violence or injustice or inequity, not just give lip-service that killing one another is deplorable, but to stand FOR a nonviolent community, to stand FOR justice and respect and tolerance and equality, to take action FOR a nonviolent world. Folks, it’s the only way I know – to get off my butt and get involved, do my part (and I hope you will, too!) because I absolutely know - Peace begins with ME!